I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Or as we are more widely known, I am a Mormon. However, just as any other thing that we don't know everything about, gaps are filled in, sometimes incorrectly. Because of this, there are many rumors and wrong ideas people hear about the church that simply aren't true. I'm here to clear that up. So, here are some common misconceptions and questions I often get about my religion.
1. First of all, what the heck do Mormons even believe?
Well, to begin, we are a branch of Christianity. I, as well as the millions of others who share my faith, believe that we have a loving Heavenly Father who sent his son, Jesus Christ, to atone for our sins and die for us so we can live with him again. We believe that our Heavenly Father has a plan for us; one that is centered around the family. He has also given us a modern-day prophet to lead and guide us today. We also believe in the Holy Bible, as well as The Book of Mormon, another testament of Jesus Christ. We believe that Christ's church has been restored by Joseph Smith and is on the earth today.
2. What's this I hear about Mormon's having tons of wives?
The Mormon church no longer practices polygamy. Let's say it again for the people in the back. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in no way, shape, or form practice or supports those who have more than one partner. There have been points where the Lord has asked his children to practice polygamy, and this commandment was heeded by Joseph Smith and the members of the early church. However, this commandment has been taken away and is no longer practiced. So no, joining the Mormon church does not mean you get to have as many wives as you want.
3. What's your castle thing? And can I go there too?
Mormons have temples, which are "houses of the Lord, the most sacred structures on the earth." This is where we can perform sacred ordinances, such as marriage, seal families together forever, and do work for those who have passed on. We believe that families can be together forever. However, for this to happen, families must be sealed together for time and all eternity in the temple. We also use temples as a place to be baptized for the dead. See question number 14 for more information on that. To go to the temple, you must be a worthy member of the church.
4. I heard you can't wear crosses.
It's not that we can't wear crosses; most Mormons just choose not to. When asked about this, President Gordon B. Hinckley (former prophet of the church) responded by saying, "for us, the cross is the symbol of the dying Christ, while our message is a declaration of the living Christ." While we love Christ for the sacrifice he made and that he allows us to live with our Heavenly Father again, we prefer to focus on the fact that our Savior lives!
5. Woah. You're a college student. Why don't you drink coffee?
Mormons believe that we were sent to Earth to receive a body in order to go through trials so that we are able to have the experience needed to prove that we are worthy to become like our Heavenly Father. Because of this, we have a great amount of respect for our bodies and we try to limit the harmful things we put into our bodies. To help with that, we were given something called The Word of Wisdom (Doctrine and Covenants 89:1-21). It advises us not to drink alcohol, smoke tobacco, and avoid coffee and tea, among other things. If we follow this commandment, we are promised greater physical and mental strength.
6. Why do you guys always wear long shorts and sleeves?
This kind of goes along with the previous question. We have a deep respect for our bodies, so we choose to practice modesty. Lds.org sums it up well when they say, "Modesty is an attitude of humility and decency in dress, grooming, language, and behavior. If you are modest, you do not draw undue attention to yourself. Instead, you seek to “glorify God in your body, and in your spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:20)."
7. Joseph Smith? I think I heard about him in that funny musical.
Joseph Smith restored The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We do not worship him; we worship Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ. As a 14 year-old-boy, he saw God and Jesus Christ. He was given instructions on how to find the Book of Mormon. He then translated it and went through the measures needed to restore the same church that Christ had on the Earth under His ministry with 100 percent of the same principles. He directed the church, under extreme persecution, until he was killed as a martyr.
8. You pay how much of your income to the church?
10 percent. Malachi 3:10 says "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." So I give 10 percent of my paycheck to the church so that they will have the funds to build churches and temples, help others, and any other thing they deem appropriate. It's a small sacrifice.
9. What's that other Bible you guys have?
The Book of Mormon is simply another testament of our Savior. It does not replace the Bible. It contains the records of ancient prophets, particularly in the Americas. It also tells of Christ's visit to His other sheep in America shortly after his resurrection. The prophet Joseph Smith said, “I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.”
10. Dude, what's with all that canned food under your bed?
The church advises us to store food and other emergency supplies. Just in case. Plus those instant potatoes are pretty dang good.
11. OK, so what's up with the guys in suits and ties with those name tags on bikes?
At the age of 18, guys in our church have the opportunity to serve a mission and spread the gospel. They are just normal people looking to share a message that brings them the greatest happiness. Just hear them out!
12. You...you baptize dead people?
Well, no. However, we do baptize living people in proxy for those who have passed on. This doesn't force them to be baptized, it just gives them the opportunity to accept it and be baptized since they didn't get the chance on Earth.
13. But it's a cult, right?
Um, no. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a cult as "a small religious group that is not part of a larger and more accepted religion and that has beliefs regarded by many people as extreme or dangerous." Well, there are about 14 million Mormons, so we definitely aren't a small group. And nothing the Mormon church teaches is dangerous in any way. The only things that the church teaches are ways to come closer to Christ and love our fellow men.
14. Why do you belong to a church that degrades women like that?
One of the leaders of the church, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, said, "First of all, I want you to be proud you are a woman...You are literally a spirit daughter of heavenly parents with a divine nature and an eternal destiny... There could never be a greater authentication of your dignity, your worth, your privileges, and your promise." This is the idea that the Mormon church has of women. Does this sound like a church that has anything other than the deepest respect and love for women? I am proud to belong to a church that teaches me of my divine role as a loved daughter of my Heavenly Father. I am proud to say that I am respected by my church, just as much as a man, maybe even more so. I can choose to have a job or stay home with my children. I am encouraged to receive an education. Bottom line is, I am not degraded in any way. I'm just not.
15. What's with that... *whispers* special underwear?
Ldschurchtemples.com says, "garments are a symbolic gesture of the promises that Mormons have made to God." It is a constant reminder of the promises that we have made to our Heavenly Father, after completing a sacred ceremony called the temple endowment. It is somewhat comparable to a Jewish man wearing a yarmulke, a nun wearing special clothing, or any other garment that physically symbolizes the wearer's conviction.
16. Where can I learn more?
Mormon.org can answer many of your questions. You can also ask to speak to a missionary. Finally, ask your Mormon friends! We're normal people and we love answering questions about the part of our lives that makes us so happy. We don't bite, I promise!
